Definition

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system drains excess fluid from the blood and protects against infection. Hodgkin lymphoma is different from other forms of
lymphoma
.

Cancer occurs when cells in the body—in this case a type of white blood cell called lymphocyte—divide without control or order. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms, called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to
malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissue and can spread to other parts of the body. A
benign tumor
does not invade or spread.

Causes

The cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown. It is likely related to complex genetic and environmental factors that lead to changes of the immune system. There are some compelling pieces of data to suggest that it is caused by a virus. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been considered.

Risk Factors

Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in men and people ages 15-40 and over 55 years of age. Factors that increase your chance of getting Hodgkin lymphoma include:

Family history

History of infectious
mononucleosis
or infection with Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis

Weakened immune system, including infection with
HIV
or the presence of
AIDS

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin

Persistent fatigue

Night sweating

Coughing

Unexplained fever

Weight loss

Itching

Decreased appetite

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done, paying particular attention to your lymph nodes.

Abdominal surgery may be needed to remove the
spleen
and to
biopsy
the liver. This is not common because of the accuracy of noninvasive scans.

Treatment

Hodgkin lymphoma is generally considered one of the more curable forms of cancer. Treatment options include:

Chemotherapy and External Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy
is
the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given in many forms, including pill, injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells, but also some healthy cells.

In
radiation therapy
,
radiation is directed at the tumor from a source outside the body to kill the cancer cells.

In many cases, both chemotherapy and radiation are used to cure a patient of Hodgkin lymphoma. The choice of treatments will be based on:

Extent of disease—the stage

Location of the affected lymph node(s)

Other factors that your doctor will discuss with you

It is important that you be seen by both the medical oncologist to discuss chemotherapy and the radiation oncologist to discuss the radiation therapy. The best treatment results come from a discussion and integrated approach.

If the cancer does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation, the outcome is usually poor. There are some treatment options available, including:

Bone marrow transplantation
—Bone marrow is removed. Large doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are then applied to kill the cancer cells. After treatment, the bone marrow is replaced via a vein. Transplanted bone marrow may be from your bone marrow that was treated to remove cancer cells or marrow from a healthy donor.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
—Stem cells are very immature cells that produce blood cells. They are removed from circulating blood before chemotherapy or radiation treatment and then replaced after treatment.

Splenectomy

Splenectomy
is the surgical removal of the spleen, an organ that is part of the lymphatic system. In some cases, splenectomy is recommended in people who have lymphoma.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing Hodgkin lymphoma because the cause is unknown.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.